Cue rack and slidable locking means therefor



Nov. 7, 1939.

' w. POMA 2.179.272 CUE RACK AND SLIDABLE LOCKING MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 21, @938 I lwvgw'rokzz (fix L M Y .w4LkJAM POM a.

N J A/ KVT'TORNEY.

Patented Nov. 7, 1939 PATENT OFFICE CUE BACK AND SLIDABLE LOCKING MEANS THEREFOR William Poma, Detroit, Mich.

Application July 21, 1938, Serial No. 220,418

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in the art of billiard and pool room equipment and provides an apparatus of this character designed primarily to accommodate billiard and pool cues and to safeguard them in an effective manner so as to prevent their use by unauthorized players.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a slidable gate for releasing the cues, and being associated with a suitable lock thereby necessitating the use of a key for this purpose.

In order to play the game of billiards or pool successfully the cue stick in each case must be retained in perfect condition, particularly the tip of the stick, however in the general practice of having all cue sticks freely arranged within a rack usually mounted upon the wall of the pool room, and accessible for use by the general public it is impossible to properly preserve their condition and to keep them fitting for the purpose.

It is a purpose of the invention to provide a method whereby one or more billiard or cue sticks may be rented for the private use of the individual player. In this manner the player is always assured. of the use of perfect cue sticks.

Another advantage of having access to privately controlled cue sticks, is that the player may select the proper weight cue for his individual requirements, inasmuch as the cue stick must be properly balanced consistent with the habits of the player using them in order to obtain the best of results.

With the foregoing in mind, it will become readily apparent that the invention possesses further advantages, all of which will be clearly revealed during the course of the following detailed description, illustrated throughout the accompanying drawing, and more fully pointed out in the appended claim.

With reference to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the complete rack.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken upon line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the complete rack.

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged section taken upon line 4-4 of Figure 1, and broken as indicated.

Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged section upon line 55 of Figure 1, and broken as shown.

Figure 6 is a greatly enlarged top plan View of the complete rack, and broken as indicated.

Figure '7 is a transverse section taken upon line 'l--'l of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view of a portion of the rack, broken as indicated, and showing the slidable gate in a partly open position.

In further carrying out my invention the several elements described and illustrated as directly associated with the same but not a part thereof, will be designated by consecutively arranged alphabetical letters, while the invention proper will be characterized by the customary reference numerals.

The rack consists of vertically disposed panels A connected at the top by cross member B, also face member C being secured to said cross mem ber as indicated. Reinforcement members D are provided where shown for cross member B.

Central cross member I is provided and is rigidly supported by panels A, and also by reinforcement members 2 where indicated. Referring more particularly to Figures 2, 4 and 8 it is clear that a plurality of uniformly spaced pockets 3 are arranged within cross member I and extending entirely therethrough so as to receive one sticks E. Intermediate pockets 3 and continuing across the entire front of the rack, recessed channel 4 is provided so as to slidably receive gate 5, and it is clear that said gate is constructed so as to freely interlock channel 4. Knobs 6 are secured to the outer surface of gate 5 for manually actuating said gate. Pockets 3 are closed. at the rear thereof by transversely extending rail 1 as shown more clearly in Figure '7.

Conventional type lock F is provided where indicated and bolt G of said lock is adapted to engage notch 8 where shown in gate 5 thereby holding and locking said gate, also conventional key H for said lock.

With reference to Figure 5 it is clear that lower cross member J is provided for the rack, also back rail K and reinforcing members L where shown. Counterbored recessed portions M are provided within cross member J in spaced apart relation and the same number of said portions being provided corresponding to pockets 3, also face member N secured to said cross member as indicated.

Referring to Figure 6 it is obvious that apertures O are provided within cross member B in spaced apart relation and corresponding in number to pockets 3 and recessed portions M, also back rail P secured to panels A as shown.

In Figure 2 it is obvious that apertures O, pockets 3 and recessed portions M are in axial alignment so as to permit the free passage of one sticks E therethrough as in Figure 1.

It is now understood that cue sticks E will be firmly locked in position as previously described by virtue of gate 5 and lock F associated therewith, and when it is desired to release any of the cue sticks within the rack gate 5 is slidably moved as in Figure 8 to the position corresponding to the particular cue sticks desired, and after removing same said gate is likewise moved to normal lock engaging position as in Figure 1.

In conclusion it is to be understood that while I have illustrated my invention as being constructed entirely of wood the same may be advantageously constructed of metal, or of any suitable material for this purpose, and it is further understood that any slight changes made during any probable further development for the market would invariably fall within the scope of the claim.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new is:

In a cue rack, a pair of vertically disposed panels, an upper cross member and a lower cross member being secured to said panels; slidable locking means comprising a central cross member, a recessed channel within the front portion of said cross member and extending completely across the entire width of the aforesaid rack, a gate and means thereupon whereby said gate slidably engages said recess, fastening means upon said cross member and associate means upon said gate for locking the gate with respect to the rack aforesaid.

' WILLIAM POMA. 

